McCaskill writes FTC, urges price fixing probe of U.S. oil refiners

Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin (l) signed on to a letter drafted by Missouri Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill (r) to the Federal Trade Commission. The letter calls for an investigation of U.S. oil refiners in relation to price fixing.

(UPI/Bill Greenblatt)

Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill has drafted a letter to the Federal Trade Commission asking that an investigation be launched into recent allegations of price fixing of gasoline by U.S. oil refiners.

“At a time when major refiners and oil companies are making record profits and American families continue to struggle with gasoline at record prices, the idea that refiners may be manipulating the market to keep prices artificially high is offensive," McCaskill wrote. "It is incumbent upon the Commission to ensure that the American people are protected from this type of manipulation."

Among others, Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, also a Democrat, signed McCaskill's letter to the FTC.